REPORT CARD, Is it something serious??
 

I just took my 97 E420 to the dealer for a 4 wheel alignment and as usual they wanted me to change or service so many things like sparkplug, differential oil, etc., etc.
But the most concern was when they tell me that there’s a REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAK FROM SIDE SEALS and quote me $585 p&l., FT (front ?) FLEX DISC STARTING CRACKED and VEHICLE BELLY PAN MISSING

So what was that all, and is it something DIY ?
Any inputs appreciated, thanks in advance

frank
97 E420 132K

sounds like your car needs some maitanence.... did they show you the rear leak.

that i would get done.... i don't have a belly pan on our CE...i am trying to get one through junk yard sources..

and yes, you do have to change your plugs every 60k or so...

flex disk is probably getting close based on mileage... should be ok for awhile

No, they did not show me the leak, but just quote me over the phone.
What is a belly pan anyway, and what does it do?
The spark plugs, can I just get it from like Pep boys / Autozone?
And what is flex disc, is it expensive
thanks

I wouldn't take a chance on differential leaks or flex discs. Flex discs in particular can cause the airbag to deploy when they fail catastrophically. They should be inspected and replaced when wear and/or cracks develop; I'm guessing they checked them out. Depending on your skill level, this is all routine DIY stuff, except for maybe the differential seals. Depending on when your plugs and differential oil were changed (if ever), they are probably also due.

The car will run fine without the belly pan, that is mostly for sound encapsulation and to protect from road debris. But you don't really need it per se. Spark plugs can be purchased anywhere as long as they are THE RIGHT TYPE. The flex disc is about $60 to $80 if I'm not mistaken; click on "Buy Parts" above and you can price it for yourself. It's not so much the parts that cost on a flex disc replacement - it's the labor.

I buy most of my parts here, to support the site. Just think of the free advice you are getting from people whose only intention is to help you (not milk you for cash). Fastlane can usually get me the parts next day.

Thanks for the referral. I found it on the ‘buy parts’ but it’s called ‘Drive Shaft Flex Joint”, is it the same thing? I will order from them and try to find a good indy around where I live (Orange, CA)
The question is do I need one or two since it shows ‘front:rear’ and actually what does it do

check your diff fluid level and see if it's low.it's been my experience that these seals seep---not leak and those that have been replaced by dealership are back seeping again in a few thousand miles.almost like it's a gimme scare job for the techs at the dealership. whoops just gave away a state secret.

I'll try to make some time this weekend to have it checked
thanks

BTW, can anybody tell me the location of the Flex Disc??

Thanks
Frank

It's right at the tail of the transmission, at the front of the driveshaft. There are exhaust pipes below mine, but it's still easily visible from underneath the car.

It looks like this:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1WW15C3EP1WW15CDOW&year=1997&make=MB&model=E-420-002&category=K&part=Drive+Shaft+Flex+Joint

Why are you taking a 1997 model year car to a dealership? Get an independent mechanic who know's your car better and who will do a better job for less money. Of course that's assuming you don't really enjoy the $500 coffee and danish in the waiting room.

Thanks to all,
I am new to owning a Mercedes. In the morning when warming up the car I noticed some whirring sound for like 5 seconds for a few times intermittently. It’s like a laser jet sound and I read somewhere in the forum that it might be the sign of transmission going bad and it was suggested to have the tranny serviced. That’s what I did, went to the stealership as suggested plus get the wheel aligned as well. Then came the report card: need 30K service (plug change), flex disc cracked etc, etc Need info on good, honest fair pricing indy around Orange County, CA

I am planning to find a good indy this weekend to change diff gear oil (check leak), check flex disc (change if necessary), change sparkplug and maybe some other important stuff…Any suggestions are welcome

Don't let that flex disc go. If its cracked when they let go its pretty amazing. The drive shaft very often ends up in neat areas of the car.:D

I'd keep off the throttle until you have it changed, kind of surprised its the rear though. Usualy the front ones go bad first.

Good!! The dealership is "ok" for transmission fluid changes if they have people trained to service your car.

Be careful with flex discs especially on an E class. I have heard of 124's deploying airbags over broken flex discs.

update...
 

Just an update.
I brought the car to an indipendent mechanic that was not too happy that I brought the parts for him. And yes the Diff gear oil was half empty, dark and looks like never been change before. Got the Spark plugs replecaed with Bosch P+4.
Flex disc shows hair crack and he said wait another 10K, under the hood there are lot of plastic fastener broken, crack hoses al over, air filter housing could not close due to broken fasteners etc. I was wondering why MB could not get a better plastic components that have a better heat tolerance? Do they need to learn from the Japs??:confused: